The posting here has been sparse for the past month or so. Sorry! That’s due, in part, to not having a whole lot to say that’s relevant to Life in Ithaca. Mostly though, it’s because our Life in Ithaca is coming to an end… very soon!

We’re packing up and leaving in 19 days. Matt’s got a job in London, UK!

So big changes :O)

After what’s sure to be an amazing Christmas visit with family up there in Canada (the “attic of the United States”) we fly to Heathrow, arriving at 9:00am on January 1, 2006.

Currently we’re tumbling toward a move-out tizzy! This is the biggest purge-time ever in our household… Freecycle wants it, so does Salvation Army and so does Craigslist.. and small electrical appliances, furniture too, be gone! If only that magic wand trick worked ;)

Warning: future posts to this blog may include rants about tenant’s rights and rental issues in Ithaca.

But I just cracked the shell of the new blog of the future, so check it out if you like over at london.different-day.com

Hello all, it’s the Doctor, coming to you live from the beautiful Philadelphia International airport. I’m halfway through a six hour layover using the (not free, grumble) wireless network. As Tiff posted, I’m on my way to the Lattice 2005 conference in sunny Dublin Ireland. Very, very exciting.

Since I’m going to Ireland, I thought I’d set up the ithacablogradio with some Irish tunes for y’all to listen to. So go ahead and click the Radio link up top, and be wisked away to the land of Leprechauns and Guinness.

Well, finally there’s a break from the horrendous heat and humidity though the weather is still warm, sunny and lovely. It’s difficult to find motivation, including writing blog entries, when the temperature indoors is over 90/32 degrees for days and weeks at a time. No air-conditioning, no happy face.

This Saturday Matt is off to Dublin for a week-long physics conference, and I’ve decided to make a trek to NYC. If you’re reading this and will be in the city next week let me know! I’ll be touring around on foot taking photos. And I’ve managed to find a perfect and economical sleeping arrangement in midtown for the duration via craigslist. Big thanks to Craig!

In other news I have crossed the line and become a bonafide Flickr addict. If you’re in the mood to browse some incredible photography then I encourage you view a slideshow of my accumulating favorites. Awe-inspiring!

Some unlucky character on a Continental Airlines flight apparently spent much of the time composing this seven-page complaint illustrating the nastiness that was seat #29E (via Boing Boing).

Click to read the full document.

There is some question as to the legitimacy of the complaint, that it might be a hoax or a joke. I don’t see how this is a joking matter, really. This victim’s description is fantastically hilarious - I couldn’t stop laughing while reading it - because it’s true. Matt and I experienced nearly the same thing, but I think it was on a United flight.

Through Memphis.

A few years ago we flew from Vancouver to Cincinnati with a stop in Memphis. There was a long stopover so we decided to check out the airport stores and grab some food. Aside from being bombarded by every Elvis knick-knack imaginable for sale at the shops, the food available was notable for its sameness. Pulled pork sandwiches, pork-butt this and that, and pork ribs. We chose to wait for the airplane food.

When time came for lunch service we had a choice between pork-butt and pork-shoulder. I can’t remember if we ate or not, but what happened after lunch was pure torture. I think our seats were in row 36 - the last row at the back, directly next to the lav.

The asses kept coming, and they weren’t delicate or forgiving. OBESE and RUMBLING asses were bumping, fully-loaded up against us, in a hurry to empty themselves of their unanimous pork lunches. And they lingered in the lav as long as they could. Everytime the door opened a new waft of stench attacked us in our seats, and it was disgusting. With a full flight there was no escape, and the lineup of people did not end until the seatbelt light came on for descent.

I will never forget it. That’s why I know the Seat Complaint is no hoax.

We’re off tomorrow morning to camp in the Thousand Islands area. When I drove to Montreal last month I wasn’t aware of the region and my jaw dropped as I drove across the Thousand Islands bridge - beautiful! Apparently a great place to build a castle even.

And so close - it’s only a 2.5 hour drive from here, in the St. Lawrence along the Canadian border. We’ll likely pitch a tent somewhere at Alexandria Bay as it seems there’s a few kayak rental spots there.

There will be no drowning in the tent either, cause the forecast looks reasonable. Fun fun!

We had an incredible time in NYC on the weekend, and now suffer from stiff muscles to prove it!

Saturday we arrived at 11:30am and checked into our hotel. We were given the choice between room 1D or 5B. After taking a look at both (they just give you the keys), we decided on 1D, decorated by Sheila Lawson. The room was cozy with no special amenities but its art, which consisted of large mounted B&W images, passages from the Bible and various personal to-do lists scribbled in permanent marker on the walls. Fine place.

Floor ‘B’ hallway entrance at the Carlton Arms.
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On Friday we drove up to Syracuse, an hour northeast of Ithaca. Matt spoke to the physicists at the university there while I saw a bit of the city. It’s not the prettiest city I’ve seen, sorry to say.

Matt’s shot of the Syracuse Banana man:

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I was huge over there, it’s that simple. They loved me. Of course I was mobbed by croweds most of the time, so I couldn’t get pictures of my adoring fans. But I did manage to snap a few pics of my journey.

We start in Ithaca, with a sight I’m sure you’re all familar with

In every good airport and hotel, you will find current Ithaca time!
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Finally I’ve got some photos to show you!

I spent five days in DC visiting Karl while he photographed some hotels. We started out with a bang at the Mandarin Oriental, a gorgeous 5 star joint close to “The Mall,” the long strip where all the monuments and memorials are in Washington. We took a mini-tour in the morning when I arrived, then Karl worked while I played.

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Another day, another ride on a Greyhound Bus! I’m headed to Washington DC to hook up with Karl. He’s photographing the Mandarin Oriental hotel, so I’m joining him for some adventure in the nation’s capital. I’ve never been, so this will make for a fun addition to my exploration of the East Coast.

The Smithsonian has free admission, and apparently one could spend days checking it out. So I’ll see what’s happening there. Don’t think I’ll be causing much trouble in that city. :O)

I will also get a chance to see cousin Graham who lives there, working for PBS.

Most likely I’ll return Friday, though if Karl’s dispatched somewhere else of note, I may tag along. Also, the Hound stops through NYC so I should be tempted to spend a day there. Matt leaves for Japan on Sunday.

TooDaLoo!